2016

This is how Sikhs are taking action during the week of March 14 to pay tribute to Guru Har Rai Sahib. If you’re planning to celebrate Sikh Environment Day, email us at [email protected] or find us online using #SED16

TIMELINE FOR SIKH ENVIRONMENT DAY-2016

Sikh Environment Day 2016 is a gift to our health and environment. This year we have come up with some different ideas for celebrating this day, but we definitely require your participation as well. Please let us know your plans, and inspire us (and Sikhs around the world) with your actions.

March 13, 2016; Environment Rally at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College at Ludhiana by NSS Wing. Students will carry slogans for a few miles and do street parchar for environment preservation.

 

 

 

March 12, 2016; Amritsar: Special katha diwan on nature at Baba Budha Ji’s village and 431 schools of Punjab School Education Board will pray for environmental wellbeing and share the story of Guru Har Rai ji, students will take environmental pledges.

March 11, 2016; EcoSikh team in Washington; will be distributing seeds on Sikh Environment Day- March 14, 2016.

March 11, 2016; Jaspreet Singh from Sri Muktsar Sahib will be share information related to preservation of Environment in 4-5 colleges of his area. He will distribute the flyers and other printed material among the students so that message can be spread among the masses.

March 10, 2016; Voice Of Amritsar (VOA) members have planned to celebrate Sikh Environment Day by restoring some sanity in minds regarding reckless littering on the roads. They have chosen two worst littered spots on Race Course Road outside Palki banquet and at roundabout, where CCTV cameras have already been installed with help of residents of the road. On Sunday 13th March they will put sign boards on sites and set a good precedent to be followed in other areas of the city gradually.

March 10, 2016; Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee, Amritsar has announced to celebrate Sikh Environment Day on March 14 dedicated to Guru Har Rai Ji’s Gurgaddi Diwas. Jathedar from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib has invited Sikh Sangat to celebrate the day not only by planting trees but also by keeping the surroundings clean and tidy.

March 10, 2016; Basics of Sikhi, UK a project by Everythings 13 and an educational charity dedicated to spreading the wisdom of the Sikh Gurus are spreading the message of Sikh Environment Day. They have shared the story of Guru Har Rai Ji related to Environment and Dara Shikho as well. Also, they have wonderfully elaborated the 7 steps for celebrating Sikh Environment Day.

 

March 10, 2016; Nadar Foundation, Ludhiana will be celebrating Sikh Environment Day at Rara Sahib by distributing plant saplings among the sangat as boota prashaad. Also, they will discuss with them the benefits of saving the environment.

March 10, 2016; Voice Of Amritsar (VOA) members have planned to celebrate Sikh Environment Day by restoring some sanity in minds regarding reckless littering on the roads. They have chosen two worst littered spots on Race Course Road outside Palki banquet and at roundabout, where CCTV cameras have already been installed with help of residents of the road. On Sunday 13th March they will put sign boards on sites and set a good precedent to be followed in other areas of the city gradually.

March 10, 2016; A well-renowned Digital Company Datawind has announced their plan of Sikh Environment Day celebrations. On March 14, the company will distribute 500 medicinal plants to their employees and share the story of Guru Har Rai Ji related to his love and contribution towards environment. Also there will be a 30 minute session of physiotherapy by an expert for the health and fitness of the employees.

March 7, 2016; Norway Gurdwara Sangat and Miljo Sikh has decided to celebrate Sikh Environment on March 13th (Sunday) this year. A short speech will be given to sangat why we are celebrating Sikh environment day and the importance of organic food. Plant seeds will be distributed among the sangat, which they can take home and start organic farming in their homes. The intention behind this is to encourage a more organic lifestyle among the Sikhs here in Norway. Furthermore, on March 14th, few youngsters will have a meeting with an expert who will give suggestions how to recycle the waste generated out of the Gurdwaras and the ideas will be shared with the Gurdwara committee to create a way for tackling the waste.

March 7, 2016; Hong Kong Interfaith Climate Network, Hong Kong will share the importance of the Sikh Environment Day and the work done by EcoSikh as well as other Sikh Institutions for Environmental preservation among the people of Hong Kong

March 7, 2016; Department of Psychology of Punjabi university, Patiala organised EcoSikh workshop with a group of 70 Students. This workshop was designed to address the issues related to Environment. Students from Department of Psychology will be organizing an event on March 14, 2016 to celebrate Sikh Environment Day which includes plantation drives, cleanliness drives, water audit, installation of dustbins in campus.

March 7, 2016; Students from Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar along with their teachers are planning to celebrate Sikh Environment Day on March 14, 2016. They came up with several ideas at workshop conducted by EcoSikh at their college. . The workshop aimed to empower the youth of Punjab in tracking the issues, team building and strategizing their action plan for environmental preservation.

March 6, 2016; Grace Public School, Shimlapuri gave their plans for Sikh Environment Day. They will be celebrating on March 14 by organizing prayers and eco-assembly at their school.

March 6, 2016; BS Brar shared his plans for Sikh Environment Day celebrations at Gurdwara Sahib in Village Patto Hira Singh Wala. They will be holding a Kirtan Darbar along with which they are planning to distribute Boota prashad among the sangat.

March 6, 2016; Ajaib Singh Sandhu from Faridkot will be planting 200 plants on his agriculture land located at Sukhan Wala distt. Faridkot(Pb. India). Plants include eucalyptus, neem, papal & bohar.

March 6, 2016; Nishkam Sikh Welfare Society and Sikh Human Development Foundation invited EcoSikh at GNDEC, Ludhiana for conducting a lecture on Environment preservation. Around 120 students participated with full zeal and enthusiasm.

Darsdidar Singh ji from Rajpura shared that he, along with the sangat from a local Gurdwara would be preparing a kitchen garden in that Gurdwara to celebrate Sikh Environment Day. Also, they would be creating green patches in the waiting areas of the Government Hospital. Further, keeping environment cleanliness in mind, they would be organizing Green Nagar Kirtans for coming Gurpurabs in the year ahead.

March 6, 2016; Gurmat Gyan Missionary College, Ludhiana on 9th March, 2016. This workshop will address the issues related to Environment. The workshop is aimed to empower the youth of Punjab in tracking the issues, team building and strategizing their action plan for environmental preservation. The workshop will have around 60-70 participants including staff and students.

March 6, 2016; Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Gurmat Missionary College, Ropar organised EcoSikh workshop on 11th March, 2016. The workshop is aimed to empower the youth of Punjab in tracking the issues, team building and strategizing their action plan for environmental preservation. One of the special sessions will include: How to deal with press and media as well. The workshop will have 50-70 participants including staff and students.

 

March 6, 2016; Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded have confirmed their participation in Sikh Enviornment day by Gracefully accepting the proposals for switching from Styrofoam to leaf patals for Karah Prashad and organizing medical camps in the Gurdwara. Along with this they will increase the green patch in and around the gurdwaras.

 

 

March 6, 2016; EcoSikh conducted a workshop at Guru Nanak Khalsa Multiversity, Ludhiana to announce the plans for Sikh Environment Day, a Tribute To guru Har Rai Ji . Guru Nanak Khalsa Multiversity has agreed to showcase the harms caused by Styrofoam and will try to the replace Styrofoam with paper cups and plates. Also, the students will paint the coloring sheets based on environmental issues. The celebrations will also include Eco-Assemblies (10 minute Prayer for Nature) and discuss 5 Simple ways in which Sikhs can help the Planet.

March 6, 2016; Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Stockholm, Sweden; declared to celebrate Sikh Environment Day on March 20th. The Sangat and management will take a huge environmental initiative by using organic and eco friendly products on that day and afterwards. The Sangat will be advised to use public transport or club maximum members in a car for Gurdwara visit. A special environmental speech and exhibition will be organized.

March 6, 2016; Dashmesh Jyot School, Nanded, Maharashtra plans to involve students of the school by organizing a painting competition in which kids will color the drawings based on environment. Also, there will be a 10 minute Eco-Assembly in the school and a small discussion on 5 simple ways in which Sikhs can help to save the planet.

March 5, 2016; Gurdwara Sahib in Muscat will mark celebrations of Sikh Environment Day by organizing Exhibition in the Gurdwara premises. They are showcasing the posters and banners related to Environment and spread the information amongst the masses.

March 5, 2016; Gurinder Pal Singh from Institute of Engineering & Technology, Bhaddal, Ropar shared their plans of celebrating 14th March by organizing a tree plantation drive in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bagh along with a bicycle marathon/rally in Ropar city.  Also, they are taking an initiative by making arrangements for organic Langar.

March 5, 2016; Khalsa School, Calgary is holding a school yard clean-up and an art contest. The students of the school are requested to submit their work by March 10th, including a short explanation of what their picture represents and how it is connected to environment. Later on in the year, they will also be planting trees and shrubs around the school, creating a more inviting area for students to spend their time, as well as beautifying the school.

March 4, 2016; Manjit Singh Khalsa along with the community members organized an Environment Save Programme in California, USA. This programme included a very well planned and successful plantation drive.

March 4, 2016; The Sikh Sangat at Peru are organizing Awareness event on Environment in collaboration with National University of San Marcos, UNAYOE. The event “Sikh Environment Day ” aims to sensitize students university and the community about the importance of the care and preservation of environment from an intercultural perspective and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity between human beings and nature. More than 500 Sikh communities will be meditating and plant a tree as a strategy for environmental awareness.

 

March 2, 2016; Gurmat School Jakarta, Indonesia are having 3-day celebration. They will be conducting a cleaning activity on 9th March 2016 at a park in Tangerang , Kirtan and Katha related to Sikh Environment day on 12th March at the Gurdwara Sahib. On 13th March they will be doing activities that will include plantation of trees and showing videos related Green Day and environment

March 2, 2016; Gurjit Singh from Living Successfully Foundation, Fazillka will be celebrating Sikh Environment Day on 21st March, 2016 at Shaheed Udham Singh College, Golu Ke Maur.

March 2, 2016; Parminder Singh from Winnipeg Canada will be organizing Clean Up drive in his Surrounding areas to mark the celebrations of Sikh Environment Day.

March 2, 2016; Surjeet Kaur from USA will celebrate Sikh Environment Day by planning a Nature walk on Sikh Environment Day. She will carry on practice of organizing cleanliness and plantation drives throughout the year by stating that “Every day is Sikh Eco Day!”

March 2, 2016; Gurdwara Sikh Center of San Antonio, USA will be dedicating Sikh Environment Day celebrations to Mata Khivi Ji. They will be making arrangements for organic Langar in the gurdwara on 14 March. Sangat will be served organic food celebrating the day.

March 1, 2016; Guru Nanak Bal Vikas Kender Sen. Sec School, Jagraon : A group of students will be planting trees in the premises of the school to celebrate Sikh Environment Day.

March 1, 2016; Team from Educare India; Alessandra Sciarra and people from the local communities as well as teachers and students from a few different schools at Harike Village will celebrate Sikh Environment Day together. The material provided by EcoSikh will be distributed among the people to inform the purpose of the event, after which they will plant some tree seeds and saplings of native tree species (shisham and kikar) and vegetables for the Gurdwara kitchen with the children. They will use only organic farming methods and try to limit the use of chemical pesticides.  A document regarding this would be prepared to better explain to the people attending what is the purpose of our project.

Up till February 20th, 2016

Bangalore Sikh Youth from Gurdwara Ulsoor are planning to celebrate Sikh Environment Day in a very different style by planting seed pencils (Link). They are planning to distribute seed pencils of various varieties and medicinal plants. They will be preparing a power point presentation as well to showcase the medicinal values of plants. Also, they will be promoting cloth bags by saying “no to polythene bags”. Asprit Kaur and her team will share how they are saving the local Bellandur Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gurmel Singh, Manager at Khalsa Diwan HongKong has shared their plan to celebrate Sikh Environment day by requesting the Sikh followers to present the plants as an offering on 14th March at Gurdwara Sahib. They will also plant about 100 trees in Hong Kong like the past years.

Damanjit Singh from Sweden confirmed their participation  in celebrating Sikh Environment Day at Gurdwara  Sangat Sahib, Stockholm on 13^th March, 2016. They will be preparing an agenda as well.

Mr.Ashok Sapolia, Convener of Environment Soceity Mansa announced that they will organize “A Flower Show” on March 13,2016 to celebrate Sikh Environment Day. This one day mega Show will consist of Stalls, cultural programmes and Flower arrangements, thus making celebrations at large scale in which the people of all sphere will participate.

Anna Singh, an Environmental Science Student will be showcasing environment focused Gurbani phrases in Malmo Gurdwara Sweden and will also partake in increasing the green patch in Gurdwara and surroundings along with the sangat.

Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sarabha Nagar Ludhiana will be organizing a flower show in the gurdwara premises and a plantation drive. They will be conducting a kirtan darbar and are also planning to organize organic Langar for the sangat that day

Tavleen Foundation, Indore announced their terrific plan to celebrate Sikh Environment Day with organic Langar. Dr. Gurmeet Singh Ji Narang and his wonderful team will take the lead to spread the message and theme of SED-2016. They will be organizing Gurbani Kirtan and Organic Langar in Dashmesh Darshan Gurudwara, Indore.

Yodh Veer Kaur living in Dhule, Maharashtra will be planting a tree and start some farming in the neighborhood to mark the celebrations of Sikh Environment Day. Also, she will be going out for a nature walk with family and kids.

Amandeep Singh from Delhi will participate in Sikh Environment Day celebrations by talking to his neighborhood Gurdwara about celebrating Sikh environment Day, bringing a tree sapling to Gurdwara in the neighborhood as an offering to Guru ji, gifting a plant to family and friends on March 14.

Er. Inder Amar Singh, Chairman of Sewa Sambhal Foundation, Malerkotla Punjab Shared their plans of celebrating the day with the concept of creating interest in the new generation by educating the students at school level and distributing literature. They will also organize Quiz contest related to environment awareness.

EcoSikh volunteers will be distributing seeds and pledge cards at Guru Gobind Singh Foundation in Potomac, MD on March 13th. Shabads will also be sang for SED.